Celebrate Victoria’s treasured trees: Nominations Open for 2024 Victorian Tree of the Year

2021 Tree of the Year, Royal Oak Tree, Castlemaine Botanical Gardens. Picture: SUPPLIED

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) is delighted to open for nominations for the 2024 Victorian Tree of the Year on Monday 1 July.

Attracting thousands of votes each year, the annual competition is a much-loved celebration of the significant trees that have captured the hearts of Victorians and highlights the importance of trees to our environment and their invaluable contributions to our communities.

As the state’s foremost advocate for tree preservation, the NTAV has been steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding these natural treasures.

Since 1982, more than 20,000 trees in 1200 locations across the state have been classified and registered on the National Trusts of Australia Register of Significant Trees.

To be eligible for Victorian Tree of the Year, a tree must be on the register.

Nominations can be submitted online via the National Trust’s website at nationaltrust.org.au/treeoftheyear

Nominations should include details about the tree and why it deserves the title of 2024 Victorian Tree of the Year.

The deadline for all nominations is Sunday 28 July.

The National Trust’s Significant Tree Expert Committee will review the nominations received and curate a shortlist of nine exceptional trees.

Voting for the Victorian Tree of the Year will be open online on Monday 1 October until Tuesday 29 October.

NTAV interim chief executive officer Philip Martins is calling on Victorians to get involved and encourages everyone to nominate their favourite tree.

“Join the Trust in celebrating the remarkable trees that grace our beautiful state of Victoria – it could have a dramatic history, or a majestic canopy; it doesn’t have to be the biggest or the oldest of its kind, just the tree we love the most. Let us honour the majesty, significance, and the incredible contributions Victorian trees make to our environment and communities,” he said.

“If your favourite tree misses out this year or is not yet registered on the National Trusts of Australia Register of Significant Trees, there will always be an opportunity for consideration in the future.”

The Victorian Tree of the Year contest aims to raise awareness of the conservation of the state’s natural heritage, and highlight the many benefits trees provide to our culture and way of life.

The winner of Victorian Tree of the Year will be officially announced on Tuesday 12 November.

For more information on Victorian Tree of the Year, visit nationaltrust.org.au/treeoftheyear